Meerut, July 23 -- Along the bustling highways and narrow bylanes of western Uttar Pradesh, a saffron tide of kanwariyas surges every year during Sawan.

This year, however, the sacred Kanwar Yatra is witnessing a quiet revolution: women marching shoulder to shoulder with men, reshaping a centuries-old tradition once seen as a male domain.

From the thunderous chants of "Har Har Mahadev" to the rhythmic clinks of 'kanwar'-bamboo poles with holy Ganga water-the landscape is changing.

Among the many Yatris, some are women-young professionals, homemakers, mothers, widows-each with a story that fuels their determination.

Kanwar Yatra this year, which began on July 11 and will culminate on July 23, has, so far, drawn over three crore pilgrim...